We start in the middle of Braunlage and follow the Warme Bode past Gondelteich and Kurpark southwards. We ride comfortably downhill on historic paths and follow the cycle path on the track of the former South Harz Railway. This was completed in 1899 and was originally created for the transport of raw materials on the route from Walkenried to Braunlage. It was decommissioned in 1962 and now offers hikers and leisure cyclists a unique experience in diverse nature. Our route leads through the Bach valley nature reserve in the Upper Harz around Braunlage, which is characterized by near-natural streams and spring bogs. The route winds along the mountain slopes in gentle curves and hairpin bends. About three kilometers before the town of Wieda we meet the river of the same name, which we then follow into the town. We cross it and cycle parallel to Wiedaer Straße to Walkenried. In the monastery town, the Cistercian Museum Monastery Walkenried, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, should definitely be visited. The museum within the monastery walls is one of the most beautiful and innovative monastery museums in Europe. Also worthwhile is the UNESCO World Heritage Information Centre Walkenried located in the manor house, which provides guests and locals with an overview of the World Heritage Site in the Harz. After our cultural break, we cycle mentally refreshed westwards past Priorteich and Sachsenstein and enjoy the varied nature of the gypsum karst landscape of Bad Sachsa and Walkenried. We also pass through the spa town of Bad Sachsa and cycle on Steinaer Straße to the neighbouring village of Steina, where we turn right and head towards the Steina dam. Over winding forest paths, we pass the Wiesenbeker Teich with its namesake campsite. Through the district of Wiesenbek we reach Bad Lauterberg, which we cycle along the Oder river and explore. We follow the river to just past Scharzfeld, whose stone church invites a quick visit. In the rounded cave in the dolomite rock, hunting material from the Paleolithic was found, which was partly used 15,000 years BC by reindeer hunters. Above the B27 we cycle to Herzberg am Harz, where our tour ends at the idyllic Juessee.
